8: Do Not Despair

The Podvig with Joel Dunn

According to St. Seraphim of Sarov, “Just as the Lord is solicitous about our salvation, so too the murderer of men, the devil, strives to lead a man into despair…”

Being exposed by our sins should humble us. It should bring us to blessed tears of repentance. But we must never ever sink into despair.

In order to receive the promise of adoption, we must be willing to partake of the suffering of sonship, through which Christ brought forth redemption by His resurrection from the dead.

The Holy Prophet Micah concludes his book with these words: “Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:17-19

Suffering is not a punishment from God for our sins. Suffering is the result of sin, which God, in His omnipotence, love, and mercy, allows and uses to subdue the iniquities of those who love Him. He allows our wounds so that He might heal us. (Hosea 6:1).

Hope is the reason the Christian does not despair of suffering because of the hope we have in the living Christ. Therefore, although, “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9) yet “we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Romans 5:3-5

St. John Chrysostom says that “People who are really brave are those who never despair.”

So, let us enter the month of thanksgiving, with hope. Hope in the promises, truth, and goodness of our Lord and savior. Hope in the redemption of both soul and body. Hope that by faithfulness in the midst of sufferings we may be found worthy of the consolation of the saints.